Trench Tech dominates Art of War 5
by Walter J. Sutherland (Saipan Tribune)
Trench Tech fighters took home gold medals in five of the seven weight classes in last Saturday's Art Of War 5.
The “No Gi” grappling and submission challenge at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium featured fighters from the CNMI, Guam, Korea, Abu Dhabi, and Kosrae.
In addition to the gold medals, the Trench Tech family also won five silver and three bronze medals and swept the entire lightweight class.
In the bantamweight division five competitors battled for the gold with Guam's Shane Aguon winning all his matches by points, default, due to fighter no show, and submissions.
In the featherweight division, eight combatants battled with Trench Tech's “Badd” Brad Palacios, who went undefeated in three matches before he went up against the only other undefeated fighter in the final match, his teammate Alverick “Pretty Boy” Alvarez. In sudden death, Palacios ultimately defeated Alverez by two points with a double leg take down. Sudden death is when two competitors finish out the five-minute regulation period in a tie where after the first point conversion wins.
In a very tough bronze medal match between Guam's Tory Mayberry and Saipan's Tavita Lueta, the former showcased his superior skills to defeat the latter by points.
The super lightweight division was the biggest class with 10 competitors fighting for the top spot.
In the gold medal bout, brothers Shane and Alverick Alvarez battled it out for the right to be called “King of the Mat.”
In this match up, the younger Shane took the glory when he beat his brother via verbal tap out for the gold medal.
The bronze medal match between Saipan's Derick Rangamar and Guam's Tory Mayberry was also very exciting. In another very close sudden death match, Rangamar edged out Mayberry in points, 4-2.
Fighting in back-to-back matches, Shane Alvarez was then put to the test against another Trench Tech teammate, Fasi “Quick Draw” Jesse, for the lightweight gold medal. This time Shane eventually bowed out to an arm-bar submission and suffered his only loss in the competition.
Representing both team Zeng Zung and Trench Tech, Tinian's Conrad “The Mangler” Manglona challenged Marianas Elite's Maitai “The Charger” Charley in the bronze medal match. In only his second Art of War appearance, Manglona took the bronze medal by points.
The welterweight division included international competitors from Abu Dhabi, Guam, Kosrae, Korea and the CNMI.
Abu Dhabi's, Ricki Rout, who is currently training out of Trench Tech Saipan, went undefeated the whole day. Rout beat Kosrae's Salik Ittu in the first match, then Korea's Rye Kim in the second before finally edging out Saipan's Fasi Jesse for the gold in sudden death.
Guam's Jake Palacios then defeated South Korea's Rye Kim by a huge 12-2 point margin for the bronze medal.
The middleweight division was made up of only three competitors. Jose Mafnas went undefeated and out grappled Lionel Borja and Ron Chisato. Chisato then went on to defeat Borja.
Finally in the heavyweight division, Marianas Elite's Kelvin “The Big Hit” Fitial easily defeated Trench Tech's Jose Mafnas and Ton “Shnyaa” Sablan on his way to another gold medal.
Sablan managed to get the silver despite an injured left shoulder and Mafnas edged out Guam's Tom Castro with a Kimura submission for the bronze.
“All in all it was a great turnout and Trench Tech wishes to thank all of the competitors and fans for their support. Also much thanks to the entire group of major sponsors for their contributions, namely Miller-Lite, Docomo Pacific, Budget Rent-A-Car, Aquarius Beach Tower, Saipan Grand Hotel, DPH Flu-Watch, Hagu Next and FOKAI Industries,” said Art of War 5 promoter and Trench Tech Purebred Gym owner Cuki Alvarez.
He also invited mixed martial arts fans to watch Rites Of Passage 9: Indestructible set for July 30, 2010 at the Saipan World Resort.
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